UAE resident's 16.3-inch record: Guinness for longest okra?

Will this vegetable find a place in the Guinness Book of World Records? This okra or ladies finger as it is popularly known - measures 16.3 inches and could well go on to beat the existing world record for being the longest one ever.

No it was not grown in a farm in the Northern Emirates or Al Ain, but within the compound of a building in Sharjah. “I made use of a small patch of unused land within our office compound. I even have a small garden in my apartment balcony in Buheira Corniche,” says Sudhish Kumar, who has a passion for farming.

This particular okra was planted almost a month-and-a-half ago with seeds from India. “My parents had brought some when they came to visit us. In fact the actual vegetable started growing about 17 days ago,” said Kumar.

“I was really astonished by its growth. In fact a couple of days ago it measured 16 inches. Today it has already grown to 16.3 inches,” he added.

According to him the current world record is for an 13-inch long okra. “I am sure this will go on to beat all records. Tomorrow some officials from the Limca Book of Records are expected to visit me to examine it for themselves,” said Kumar. Limca Book of records maintains records mostly held by Indians and is published by Coca Cola India.

Kumar emphasises that all his vegetables are grown using natural manure. “I use goat’s dung sourced very much from the UAE. A Bengali colleague of mine has goats in his villa and I get my supplies of manure from there,” he says.

“In my little garden I even have a drumstick tree, sugarcane, curry leaves, jasmine, saffron flower, etc., I have been passionate about farming ever since I was 16-years old,’ he said.

From Guruvayoor in Kerala in India, Kumar has been working in the UAE since 1998. “In between all the stress related to work, family and other issues, this mini garden has been a real passion,” he added.

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